Premier League Sunday, Gameweek 11: Open Thread

There’s not just one massive game today in the Premier League. There are three. The first features Arsenal at home against Newcastle United. A couple of weeks ago, Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 victory at St. James’s Park in the Carling Cup, but I have a feeling that today’s match will be much closer and Newcastle will be fired up to try to enact revenge. A win for Newcastle will move them into fifth position. A win for Arsenal and they’ll be in joint second position in the league table.

The second match may be the most intriguing one of the day as West Bromwich Albion host Manchester City at The Hawthorns. This could be a high scoring match with plenty of entertainment in store. It’ll be interesting to see how Manchester City plays especially after they’ve lost a few matches in a row. Will the players come out fighting to show how much they believe in Roberto Mancini? Or will West Bromwich Albion play them off the park with a better team cohesiveness? It’ll definitely be a must-watch match in my opinion.

Last but not least, there’s the match between Liverpool and Chelsea. Although I think the Blues will eventually win this one today, I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool will give Chelsea a few scares. The confidence in the Reds is definitely building and they’re starting to play the level of football that we expect from Liverpool sides. Whether that’s enough to make a difference against Chelsea, I doubt it. But stranger things have happened in football before.

Before, during or after today’s matches, feel free to use the comments section below as an open thread to discuss the games, rant about your teams or use it to ask questions. Here’s to a wonderful Sunday of football, real football.

About The Author

Publisher of World Soccer Talk, Christopher Harris founded the site in 2005. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Guardian and several other publications. Plus he has made appearances on NPR, BBC World, CBC, BBC Five Live, talkSPORT and beIN SPORT.
Harris, who was born and raised in Wales, has lived in Florida since 1984, and supported Swansea City since 1979. Last but not least, he got engaged during half-time of a MLS game.

23 Comments

Patricio del OrsayNovember 7, 2010

Not watching, but based on what the Guardian says, here come the “Flappyhandski” references again…

Not to take anything away from Newcastle as they defended brilliantly, but this is just an absolute shocker from Arsenal. This clearly shows every game in the Premier League is a big game. Easy games are only in paper. Need to take every game like it’s Chelsea game from here on out to come anything close to Top 3 finish.

Chelsea go down early 1-0. Was reading this and looked up when I heard the announcer get excited. Missed the pass, but saw the ball trickle in. Could this be the game where Torres gets back on the horse and plays to the level everyone expects?

2 goals today now, not much to say besides he’s getting back into form. The 2nd was an excellent goal between the two defenders. Brilliant goal. Looking like Chelsea is going to have a big hole to dig out of. I’m thinking Drogba will be coming on in the 2nd half.

Disappointed, really, by the Blue performance. But I’m sort of alright understanding that certain players have not been 100% since the end of August when Lamps was injured. Today, we were handicapped by Drogs and Malouda who weren’t 100% and by the fact that we were without Essien AND Lampard.

I see a very disturbing problem with our play, especially in the midfield. In this match and in the Blackburn match last week, we consistently gave away little balls in midfield allowing our opponents space to run. I think that, ever since Lamps went out injured, we haven’t been as rock solid in midfield and Ash hasn’t been playing as far left as possible. I CANNOT underscore how much I am looking forward to having Lampard back in the side, as our play just has not been the stuff of champions lately.

And as for Torres, there is no doubt that he is a class striker, but it gets a little annoying when people use a single match as a gauge for him “returning”. If he nets in the next two or three matches, then I’ll bite, but for the moment, I see a striker tapping into a vein of form. He isn’t at that level in which we can say he is utterly returned to his 2008-2009 performances.

Based on the way we played today, fair result to Liverpool. As for Torres, he was brilliant today. Full credit to Torres for his two goals. However, give him 4 or 5 more games and his hamstring will go again. Then he’ll be sidelined for a few months. Just the way it goes with him.

The more I watch Ramires the more concerned I get. He’s a workhorse but gives away WAY too many simple balls. He also seems to be overwhelmed by the pace and pressure when he is on the ball. Maybe in a few seasons he can settle but this season he seems to be more of a liability than an asset.

Liverpool looked great today. Last week, they pulled it off against Bolton. This week, they take down Chelsea. 6 pts in the last two weeks. Not too common for L’pool this season. Hopefully this becomes a trend.

Meanwhile, another Stoke City game can be used as evidence as to why goal line reviews should take place.